Local Beta › Mountain biking
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The Monarch Crest is one of the best-known rides in the country. It starts at 11,312 feet on Monarch Pass, follows the Continental Divide and drops thousands of feet back toward the valley. The town trails are just as good on the days in between.
- The classic Crest: Crest to Silver Creek to the Rainbow Trail and down to US 285 near Poncha Springs. About 35 miles with roughly 2,300 feet of climbing and 6,100 feet of descent. Keep pedaling to finish in Salida.
- Shorter bail-outs: Fooses Creek (about 11 miles), Greens Creek (about 14) and Agate Creek (about 17).
- Shuttles: several Salida and Poncha Springs outfits run paid shuttles to the top of the pass in season. Book ahead on summer weekends.
- Hall of Fame: the Crest was one of IMBA's original Epic rides and now sits in its Epic Hall of Fame.
- Town riding: Arkansas Hills and S Mountain, Methodist Mountain and Little Rainbow, and the Buena Vista trails off CR 304 like Broken Boyfriend, Django and Fistful of Dollars.
- Rainbow Trail: about 113 miles, open to bikes, hikers, horses and motorcycles but not ATVs. Wilderness spurs are closed to bikes.
The Crest tops out near 12,000 feet and is exposed for miles. If storms are building over the Divide at 11 a.m., take the first bail-out.
Know before you go
- Snow can hang on the Crest into early July. Ask us before you shuttle in June.
- No bikes in designated Wilderness.
- Yield to hikers and horses, and expect motorcycles on parts of the Crest and Rainbow Trail.
Resources
Get the free Monarch Crest trail card
A one-page card with the route, key turns, rules, emergency numbers and our gear list. Print it or save it to your phone. We'll send it right away and email you local beta for the activities you pick, a few times a season. No spam.
Common questions
How long is the Monarch Crest ride?
The classic route is about 35 miles from Monarch Pass to US 285 near Poncha Springs, with roughly 2,300 feet of climbing and 6,100 feet of descent.
When is the Monarch Crest open?
It is usually rideable from early July until the first snows in October. Snow can linger near the top into early July.
Is there a shuttle for the Monarch Crest?
Yes. Several Salida and Poncha Springs outfits run paid shuttles to the top of the pass in season. Book ahead on summer weekends.
Keep exploring
Checked October 2026 against the agencies linked on this page. Rules change, so confirm before you go, and stop by the shop at 110 N F Street for the latest.